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5. Brandon Graham (2010-present)

Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

For years after he was drafted by the Eagles in the first round in 2010, Graham heard the murmurs. Many Eagles fans had wanted the team to select safety Earl Thomas, and for a while, the former Michigan product’s performance did nothing to sway his doubters.

Graham had a disappointing rookie season, recording just three sacks before tearing his ACL in Week 14 against the Dallas Cowboys. After playing only three games in 2011, he was better in 2012, coming away with 5.5 sacks and 38 tackles, but a shift to linebacker in Billy Davis’ 3-4 scheme in 2013 led to more struggles. In his first four seasons in the league, Graham had a paltry 11.5 sacks. Thomas, on the other hand, was a Super Bowl champion by his fourth season.

But in the last four years, Graham went from being a potential bust to one of the top defensive ends on the team. From 2014-2017, Graham recorded 27 sacks, including 15 in the last two seasons. After being named a second-team All-Pro in 2016, Graham had the best season of his career in 2017. He led the Eagles with 9.5 sacks in the regular season and sealed the franchise’s first Super Bowl championship with a strip-sack of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in the game’s waning moments.

Heading into his ninth season, Graham ranks seventh in Eagles history with 38.5 sacks, and his performance over the past two years has won over the Philadelphia faithful.